Book Review-Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Sean Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it's almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before--and reluctantly accept his offer to mate. The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate--his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again. But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor's future, but the lives of the entire pack...

Alpha Instinct is the first book in the Moon Shifters series and I have NO idea why I took so long in reading this book here. Now Alpha Instinct was a freebie on Amazon a couple of years ago and it was one of those surprise freebies and lately I have been wanting to go through my kindle and read the books I have forgotten about and that was the case with this book. I had totally forgotten I had this one and I always love a fun shifter romance and this book worked for me in so many ways. I will mention that this book is a full-length novel, some of the other books I have read about this author have been novella’s and I like longer lengths in my books and this book I was so happy to be a full novel.

Alpha Instinct sets up with our heroine, who is the alpha female of her pack, who only have female members when their pack was poisoned and all the men and pregnant females were killed and it was too late to catch it in time. Now Ana Cordona, is vulnerable because as strong as she is, she is not a full Alpha or a warrior wolf. They are not liked by human kind and when she is almost attacked by a rival alpha who wants her and her female members to use and disregard she is rescued by Connor Armstrong. Connor, his brother Liam and Ana were all very close when they were young, and there was a chemistry between Connor and Ana but then Connor left Ana with no word and she hasn’t seen him in many years and now Connor is back for Ana. He suggests to Ana that they combine their packs so they both can be strong and thrive and that Ana be his bondmate. At first, Ana is hesitant but she knows that her pack will be divided up by the shifter council if she doesn’t find someone to help out and she needs to know the truth on why Connor left all those years ago. Connor has been in love with Ana for almost as long as he can remember, and when he wanted her for his mate, her father forbid it or he would cast Ana out, so Connor left so that she could stay with her pack and family. But now Connor can’t resist being without Ana anymore, and needs her and will fight for her and the mating that was always meant to be. But there is an enemy out to destroy their pack, no matter the cost and as they race to find out the culprit behind the killings and attacks, the villain is someone they trust and least expect….

This book was AMAZING and kicks your reading booty in so many ways. I simply loved how this book was written here and I was really shocked in how good this book turned out to be. I haven’t read a shifter romance that gave me all the feels and really worked for me, but I stayed up all night reading this book. So be careful not to start this right before bed or you will lose your beauty rest but it was so worth it in many ways. First off, it begins with plenty of suspense and engaging chemistry between Connor and Ana. These two pack quite a punch and I really loved seeing how this story sets off. It really pulls the reader in very quickly and I just didn’t want to put this book down. We have multiple POV’s that we see happen. Most of it is in 3rd person, but then we get two viewpoints from two villains (and yes there are two separate villains that are working separately) and then we have Liam’s POV which just contains a handful of chapters but this is where we see his romance with December. (They are the official couple in book two) so we just see the beginnings of their mating and boy I can’t wait to read book two because these few chapters really teased me and I just want them to have their HEA.

This is a second chance romance between Connor and Ana and its not an easy road. First off we have our hero who is full of secrets. He isn’t opening himself up to Ana for much of the story, and so this causes lots of strain in their relationship. Now, Ana, she is an open book. There is so much to love about her character. She knows who she is and what she is capable of and fights for what she deserves. I love that she doesn’t back down from Connor, and even though he is way more Alpha than she is, she is strong and determined and such a fighter. But she is also kind, sweet and empathetic which makes her a good alpha female. What I loved most about their story was seeing them find the compromise they needed in their relationship and seeing what Connor learns. We see how he has to face up to his mistakes and his lack of trust in Ana and to also trust in himself. He doesn’t realize how much he is hurting Ana or their bond until she gives it to him at face value and I like that he doesn’t shy away from the truth for too long and he comes clean with her when its the right time. The heat in this book is HOT, I mean these scenes are very sensual and erotic and Katie Reus really knows how to write these sexy moments.

“If you really want to mate with me, then you should know I don’t take orders very well.”
“Then I’ll just have to come up with unique ways to punish you.”

Overall I found Alpha Instinct to be a powerfully portrayed romance that takes us to the woods, the suspense that engages you and a sexy filled love story to give you all the feels!

About Katie Reus

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, & IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom's stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn't always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.